Spain court scraps probe of ex-China leaders

Associated Press

MADRID (AP) — Spain's National Court has scrapped an investigation into several former Chinese leaders for alleged genocide in Tibet, a probe that had angered Beijing.

A court statement late Monday said the court dismissed the investigation because it did not comply with a new law that curbs Spanish courts' use of universal jurisdiction to pursue crimes against humanity committed abroad.

The law was drawn up after China expressed anger over the probe and hinted it could damage relations. The officials under investigation included two former presidents.

Under the new law, Spanish judges can prosecute crimes against humanity committed abroad only if the suspect is Spanish, a foreign resident in Spain or a foreigner who happens to be in Spain and whom the Spanish authorities have refused to extradite.